Trinity College held off a late burst from Vidyartha College at Bogambara, defeating the Tigers 10 (2T) – 20 (3T 1C 1P) to secure their first win in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023.
Trinity were desperate for a win while Vidyartha aimed to consolidate their winning start as the two sides locked horns on a muddy turf at Bogambara.
Trinity found their feet early on and set out attacking on a number of occasions, however, it took them 17 minutes to break the deadlock. Manzil found himself adding the finishing touch as Trinity were rewarded for their hard work. Shan failed to add the extras. (VCK 00-05 TCK)
Even though the visitors started with the early try, handling, and unforced errors crept into the game as the muddy conditions didn’t help either team.
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Shan had the opportunity to extend the Trinity lead but failed on a couple of occasions Vidyartha were reduced to a man for illegally bringing down a rolling maul.
Trinity College pounced on the opportunity, opting for yet another line out, creating a maul and driving towards the Vidyartha line. This maul too was illegally brought down as Referee Praneeth Weeranga had no option but to award a penalty try to Trinity College.
The 7-pointer meant the visitors went into halftime with a man to the good and 12 points.
Half time: Vidyartha College 00 trail Trinity College 12 (2T 1C)
The Trinity forwards began proceeding from where they left off, getting into the thick of the action straight away.
The conditions did not help either side with their handling, however, the forwards keeping the ball in close proximity helped proceedings.
Trinity Hooker, Dehan Watagoda crashed his way over on the far side as the visitors managed to extend their lead further adding a cushion between the sides, even though Shan failed to add the extras from a difficult angle. (VCK 00-17 TCK)
Spurred on by the deficit, the home team stepped on the accelerator in a similar fashion to week one. The hosts managed two scores back to back, sandwiched between a yellow card to five-eight Shan of Trinity.
Playing on the wing for Vidyartha, Deshan Balasooriya add the finishing touch to a couple of tries in a similar fashion near the far corner post as a fightback seemed to be on the cards for Vidyartha. Both conversions bounced off the posts, leaving the home team requiring a converted try to draw level. (VCK 10-17 TCK )
The game was put to bed in the 67th minute of the game by five-eight Shan Altaf as he slotted over a penalty as the tiring Vidyartha defence was caught offside in front of the posts.
Trinity managed to hold on to the 10-point lead as the game ended, handing them their first points of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023.
Full Time: Vidyartha College 10 (2T) lost to Trinity College 20 (3T 1C 1P)
NDB Player of the Match: Deshan Balasooriya (VCK)
Points Breakdown:
Trinity College: Attab Manzil 1T, Dehan Watagoda 1T, 1 Penalty Try, Shan Altaf 1P
Vidyartha College: Deshan Balasooriya 2T
 – 20 (3T 1C 1P) to secure their first win in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023. ){kind=link}